Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-12-28
THE YEARS HEALTH.
Dr. Hagan's Annual Report
for this City.
THB SMALL -POX OUTBREAK.
The Hygienic Condition of the
city Carefully and Scientiti-
cally Considered.

To thG Mayor and Members Of The Com |
mon Council:
GENTLEMEN | have the honor to
submit the annual report of the De-
partment Of Health for the year end
ing December 81, 1887.
1t is gratifying to be able to state
that during the past year general
good health has prevailed and the
city has been free from epidemics.
The total number OF deaths occur
ring, from all causes, within the city
limits, was ego, 347 males and 313 fe-
males.
Estimating the population of Los
Angeles at $4,000, would give us
an annual death rate of eleven
to every 1000 of the population,
making lower death rate than other
towns of similar size, but when we
deduct the ITO deaths OF non resident
consumptives, the death rate Of the
city is reduced to nine ior every 1000
inhabitants, giving Los Angeles city
the honor of having comparatively
the lowest death rate OF any city in
the United States. The range OF NOR
tality in different cities OF % 900 and
upwards range from ten to thirty, and
twenty is the average death rate of
the United States.
The Typographical situation of the
city is one eminently calculated to
contribute to q healthy condition.
The site OF the entire city is favorable
for good natural drainage, the soil is
gravelly, sandy loan, no boys, no
ponds or stagnant water within the
city limits. No malaria, no ague, no
epidemic diarrhoe, no cholera infan-
tum and diphtheria, and other epidem-
ic diseases have never rankly -four
ished in this city. Los Angeles is in
the center of the therapeutic
area Of Southern California, situated
midway between the ocean and
foothills of the Sierra Madre, pleas
antIy famed by the ocean breezes in
summer and far enough inland to
escape any rawness from the chilly
winds OF winter. The prevailing
temperature is from GO to so degrees,
the very temperature most conducive
to health and long life. The city, too,
is surrounded on all sides by thrifty
agricultural districts, free from mala-
ria and unhealthy influences. There
seems to be no reason why Los An
geles should not maintain the proud
distinction of being the healthiest
city in the world.
However, on presenting the tabu-
lated mortuary list, for the year, We
find nearly all the common diseases,
including some of the zymotic dis
eases, namely: typhoid fever, scarlet
fever and diphtheria. But the latter
diseases have not prevailed as an cpl
demic. Their mere existence here,
indicates more or less sanitary negli-
gence in certain localities. The lack
Of sewers, and common customs of
connecting cesspools with residences,
together with leaky water pipes,
filthy street cutters and foul well
water, make up the chief causes here
Of yymotic diseases.
The statistics are correct as to
deaths but not as to births. Accord
ing to law no sexton is allowed to in
ter human body without written
permit from the Health officer,
which permits are returned to the
Health officer every Monday morn
ing. This gives the Health officer
full control over interments. In the
matter of births, the majority of ply
Sicians obey the law report promptly,
but mldwives, parents and irrespon-
sible persons connected with births
make very few returns to the Health
officer.
On reviewing the vital statis-
tics we find that eighty-two
children died before the eXpira-
ton of the first year. Thirty-three
from unknown causes, IL from brain
diseases and 81 from inanition. I'm
known causes would indicate culpa-
BILE neglect on the part OF parents or
profound ignorance on the part of
their medical advisors. Only an un-
motherly mother would allow her in
FAINT to perish without inquiring
the cause of its death. hamilton
is simply another name for starva-
toni Imperfect digestion and de-
defective assimilation, may be born
with children, but it is not unfair to
presume that in the great majority OF
these cases, the weakness was
brought on by bad hygienic condi-
tions that surrounded the children
after birth. Faulty feeding, careless
ness and ignorance are the factors
chat produce defective nutrition.
Proper food, pure air, sunshine,
cleanliness and general good man
agement would have made vast diff
ference In the rate OF mortality.
Between one and five years, seven
ty-four little pilgrims dropped out.
Some of them died evidently from
diseased heritage Consumption,
some from neglect, but the majority
from childhood or preventable dis
eases, measles, whooping cough,
scarlet fever, diphtheria, smallpox
and meningitis. A very notable fact,
but few children die in Los Angeles
with diarrhoa and cholera infantum
From five to ten there are fewer
deaths, many having already suffered
with diseases which seldom recur in
the same individual, gives them a
greater freedom from disease. Between
the ages OF ten and fifteen. however.
deaths are fewer than at any period
in life.
Approaching the age of twenty, the
mortality begins to increase, and con-
sumption helps to make up the DEATH
roll. Between the ages of twenty and
thirty one-half that die perish from
consumption; the other deaths are
from the ordinary preventable d.
seases.
After thirty, the general mortality
continues to increase, and up to forty
consumption still makes up an i'm
portant factor in the cause of death.
This is the noon-time of life, and res
possibilities, anxieties and perplexities
of mini contribute their victims.
Suicide and fatal brain diseases are
also deaths from violence
and accidents. Catching or infectious
diseases sink to comparatively low
place among the causes of death.
After this period of life the diseases
the more general decay of